Elephant death toll in Bandhavgarh reserve rises to 7

Umaria (MP), Oct 30: The Madhya Pradesh government has formed a five-member panel to probe the unexplained death of seven elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, a forest official said on Wednesday. Three more tuskers are in serious condition, he said.

Following the directives of MP’s Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat, the authorities have formed the committee to investigate the death of the elephants, the official said.

The reserve’s deputy director Prakash Kumar Verma said prime facie, the elephants seemed to have died after consuming Kodo millet, but the exact cause will be known after autopsies.

Four wild elephants were found dead in the tiger reserve on Tuesday while four others, part of the same herd of 13 tuskers, were found ill during routine patrolling, officials earlier said.

Verma on Wednesday said seven elephants have died so far in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR). They were part of the herd of 13 pachyderms, he said.

The condition of three other jumbos is serious and they are being treated, while BTR teams are monitoring the movement of remaining elephants that were part of the herd, he said.

On Tuesday, Verma informed that four elephants were found dead in the Salkhania and Bakeli areas under the Khitoli range of the reserve, a popular tourist attraction, during routine patrolling by forest guards.

In a post on X late Tuesday night, Forest Minister Rawat said the untimely death of the precious elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was saddening and heart-breaking.

In view of the seriousness of the issue, officials have been directed to immediately constitute an SIT and take strict action against the culprits, Rawat said.

The forest department on Wednesday issued an order to constitute a five-member probe panel headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) L Krishnamoorthy.

The committee has been directed to submit within ten days its report on the “unusual death” of elephants in BTR.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in-charge communications and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh said, “The news from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve that seven elephants have died while two or three more are critical, is absolutely shocking.

“This wipes out some 10 per cent of the elephant population in the reserve at one go. A full inquiry must take place immediately and preventive measures must be instituted,” the former environment minister said on X, tagging Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. (PTI)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

PM Modi should explain why we are normalising relations with China: Cong

New Delhi, Apr 2: The Congress on Wednesday alleged...

Waqf bill aimed at polarisation: Akhilesh in LS

New Delhi, Apr 2: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav...

AAP MLAs barred from premises of Delhi House

New Delhi, Apr 2: The final day of the...

Parl passes Immigration and Foreigners Bill

New Delhi, Apr 2: Parliament approved a bill to...

40 ‘illegal’ workers pushed back

Shillong, Apr 2: Activists of Jaintia National Council (JNC)...

Debate over Waqf Board amendments; NEMSU opposes government’s move

Guwahati, April 2: A proposed amendment to the Waqf...

Kaziranga smashes tourism records: Over 4 lakh visitors flock to wildlife haven in 2024-25

Guwahati, April 2: Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve...

Ryndia gets prestigious GI tag

Shillong, Apr 2: In a remarkable achievement in Meghalaya’s...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img